Best Window AC

LG LW1517IVSM

Best Through the Wall AC

Koldfront WTC14012WCO230V

Best Portable AC

hOmeLabs

Using a high-quality air conditioner isn’t just a fantastic way to stay cool, but it can also help to improve the air quality of your home. The best models work to dehumidify and filter out contaminants, dust, and allergens that could be affecting your overall health.

There are a lot of ACs out there that are incapable of cooling down an ample space – but this won’t be an issue if you choose the best 14000 BTU air conditioner unit on the market. The units we’ve covered in this guide are powerful enough to cool down a space of 500 square feet or more. We’ve covered a variety of types, including through-the-wall units, portable models, and window ACs.

When Is a 14000 BTU AC the Right Choice?

One of the biggest mistakes when shopping around for an AC is not recognizing the importance of BTUs. The term BTU, short for British Thermal Unit, is used all over the world to measure energy.

In technical terms, Newair says that BTU stands for “the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.”

The main thing you need to remember is that a higher BTU can cool a greater amount of space. Aircon BTUs range anywhere from 5000 to 20000, and choosing the right one depends on the square footage of the space you’re trying to cool. For rooms measuring between 400 and 500 square feet (and sometimes more), you’ll want to go with a 14000 BTU unit.

Considerations When Buying a 14000 BTU AC Unit

AC Type

In this list of 14000 BTU air conditioner reviews, we’ve covered several types of 14000 BTU units, including window, portable, and through-the-wall. Before deciding on one, comparing the different types is a must. A 14000 BTU portable air conditioner is the easiest to install, but some homeowners don’t like that they take up floor space in the room. A 14000 BTU wall air conditioner or window unit is trickier to install, but they won’t waste any of your home’s precious square footage.

Coverage Area

Answering and understanding the question of how many square feet does a 14000 BTU AC cool is essential. A high-quality 14000 BTU unit can cool 500 square feet or more, so the first step is to measure the square footage of the space. There’s no need for a 14000 BTU unit if you intend to install the AC in a small guest bedroom – these are more suited to large living spaces, like the family room or basement.

Energy Efficiency Rating (EER)

Energy.gov says that to measure the efficiency of a room AC, you’ll need to look at the energy efficiency ratio (EER).

“The EER is the ratio of the cooling capacity (in British thermal units [Btu] per hour) to the power input (in watts). The higher the EER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner.”

The law as of 1990 is that room ACs must have an EER of 8.0 or more, but try to find a model with a rating between 9 and 11. For mild climates where the AC won’t be running on full blast, an EER of 9 is perfectly suitable, but for hotter climates, the higher the EER, the better.

Noise Levels (dB)

Just imagine turning on the AC to find some relief, and as you sit down in front of the cool breeze, the unit starts clanking loudly. This isn’t a peaceful scenario, which is why the AC noise level is a major consideration. Noise level is measured in decibels, or dB; the lower the dB, the lower the noise output.

Even the quietest window ACs have a certain level of white noise, but the best 14000 BTU units, this white noise is barely noticeable. Room ACs typically have a noise level that falls between 42 and 64 dBA, so try to find something on the low end of this. Pay special attention to the dBA of portable AC units; these sit entirely inside the home (as opposed to a window AC).

Performance Features

AC performance is not just measured by how quickly it can cool a room. It is also important to look into more specific performance features, like whether the unit comes with unique modes for different situations. The best 14000 BTU air conditioner will come with heat mode, sleep mode, multiple fan settings, auto setting, timers, remote control operation, and dehumidification.

Installation Requirements

Some AC units are much easier to install than others. For example, a portable AC is basically ready to go right out of the box; all you have to do is configure the hoses properly. On the flip side, through-the-wall units often require you to cut through drywall.

If you plan on setting up your AC as a DIY project, you must have the proper tools (and knowledge) before making your purchase. For the easiest installation, go with a portable or window unit.

Another installation consideration is dual vs. single hose. Every AC works by drawing air in from a vent, cooling the air, and releasing out through the front of the unit.

This process does tend to generate some hot air, and that hot air needs to go somewhere. Most ACs serve as a single hose unit, expelling hot air from one hose that leads from the back of the AC and is exhausted outside. Dual hose ACs are more difficult to install, but they are more effective at drawing cool air in and expelling hot air out.

Voltage Requirements

Most 14000 BTU ACs have a standard voltage requirement of 115 or 120 volts, but this isn’t the case for all of them. Some of the more powerful units require a socket that is compatible with 220, even 230 volts. It’s never a good idea to just assume that an AC can be plugged into a standard socket. By not checking, you’re not only putting the AC at risk but also yourself.

Price & Warranty

Setting a budget beforehand can help you to narrow down your options early on in the buying process. The best 14000 BTU air conditioners reviewed below are all over the board when it comes to price, but they all come with at least 1 year of warranty coverage. Just be sure to double-check the warranty – many policies offer different lengths of coverage for different AC parts and defects.

Our Top 14000 BTU Through the Wall AC

Through-the-wall ACs are the ideal choice if you’re not on board with losing window or floor space. They’re a bit more challenging to install, but this isn’t so much of an issue when you choose the Koldfront 14000 BTU AC. This model is the best 14000 BTU through-the-wall AC on the market, mainly because it goes above and beyond by cooling anywhere from 550 to 700 square feet of space.

That’s right; the Koldfront AC doesn’t just stop at cooling a large 500 square foot room. It has the potential to cool up to 700 square feet and has an energy efficiency rating of 9.4. This isn’t the best rating when compared to the other ACs reviewed, but 9.4 is still considered better than average according to Energy Star standards.

This unit has a wide temperature setting, ranging from 62 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Whether you like it toasty warm or moderately cool, you can set the Koldfront to your exact temperature preference. It comes with all the cool added features you could ever ask for, including sleep mode, 24-hour timer, energy-saving mode, dehumidification, and remote control operation.

Before buying, here’s something you should know from the Amazon listing: “PLEASE NOTE: This is a 230V unit and requires a 230V outlet; Plug type LCDI 6-15P (Unit will not work with a standard 115V outlet).” If you don’t have a compatible outlet, you’ll either have to hire a technician to wire a 230V outlet or move on to another 14000 BTU AC. Also note that the wall sleeve (a necessary part for installation) is sold separately, so be sure to purchase the compatible Koldfront sleeve (WTCSLV).

Our Top 14000 BTU Window AC

Through-the-wall ACs aren’t for everyone, especially if you’re trying to avoid cutting a hole in your home’s drywall. If you’re still not wanting to cut down on floor space, the alternative is to purchase the best 14000 BTU window air conditioner, which is hands-down the LG Window AC. LG air conditioners are well-built, energy-efficient, and aren’t lacking on features in any way. All this and more is true of the company’s LW1517IVSM model.

There’s something especially cool about this 14000 BTU window air conditioner… it comes with smart features that are enabled through your home’s WiFi. The cooling machine’s SmartThinQ technology allows it to be paired with an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device. So all you have to do to get the cooling action started is to ask Alexa for help.

The smart technology is a cool feature, but not as cool as the amazing energy efficiency of the LG.

The company says that this is thanks to the Dual Inverter Compressor: “LG Window Air Conditioners with DUAL Inverter Compressor are up to 25% more energy efficient than the ENERGY STAR certification requirement. Enjoy LG’s innovative inverter technology that’s both powerful and quiet.”

Another thing we love about the LG AC is its quiet operation. It produces only white noise and hovers around 44 dBA in the Lo-Decibel Quiet Operation setting. And get this – the LG window AC has a cooling capacity of 800 square feet, which is significantly more than any portable AC could accomplish. You have to be willing to pay for all these amazing features; the LG is not the cheapest window AC on the market.

Our Top 14000 BTU Portable AC

Portable ACs are all the rage for anyone searching for the most energy-efficient cooling option. If this applies to you and you’re wondering what the best 14000 BTU portable air conditioner is, you can’t go wrong with a hOmeLabs AC. The best 14000 BTU portable air conditioner that money can buy is the hOmeLabs easy-to-install 14000 BTU model.

When we say “easy to install,” we mean it. Portable ACs are the easiest to install in the first place, but hOmeLabs takes installation ease to a whole new level. There’s no heavy window unit to lift, the attached wheels offer improved mobility, and assembly can be done in a matter of minutes.

“Simply attach the hose and the window slide adapter, plug in the power supply and you’re good to go,” says hOmeLabs.

Not all portable ACs come with built-in dehumidification, but this one does. While it cools any space ranging from 450 to 600 square feet, it works to remove water from the air. It comes with a washable filter, so you’ll never have to pay for a filter replacement in the filter. To wash the filter, simply remove it from its place in the unit, clean it, and replace it. There’s an indicator light on the unit that lets you know when it’s time for a filter cleaning, but the company recommends that you do it twice per month.

The digital display is easy to figure out; it has buttons for all AC settings, including temperature controls, swing, fan speed, timer, eco-friendly sleep mode, and dehumidification. These functions can also be controlled from the included remote control. The main thing we don’t love about the hOmeLabs portable AC is its lack of heating, plus it comes with just 2 fan speeds when 3 or more would be better.

Pros

Built-in dehumidification

Washable air filter

Multiple operational modes

Install in minutes

Cons

No heating option

Just 2 fan speeds

4. LG LP1017WSR

Popular Model

The LG we reviewed before was the most popular window unit, but this next LG is all about portability. The LG LP1017WSR is a popular model if you’re looking for a stylish, easy-to-use, easy-to-install portable unit. This may not be the best rated 14000 BTU portable air conditioner on the market, but it’s one of the best choices in our honest opinion.

The main thing we love about this portable LG unit is its sleek design. Staying true to the signature LG style, this AC is all about style – but that doesn’t mean it lacks when it comes to performance. It has a smaller cooling capacity than the other products we’ve talked about so far, but it’s still capable of cooling square footage of 500 (a 25′ x 25′ room).

We love the 3-in-1 operation that comes with this smart portable air conditioner 14000 BTU unit.

“In fan mode, the fan circulates air while the dry mode is ideal for rainy and damp days.”

It comes with a 24-hour On/Off timer so that you can come home to a cool space but not waste energy throughout the day.

All in all, we love this powerful portable cooling device – but there is still some room for improvement. The main critique is that it is incapable of cooling a space that is larger than 500 square feet. Although this is the standard room size capacity of a 14000 BTU unit, many of the best 14000 BTU air conditioners can work in spaces larger than this. The other negativity is that installation isn’t the easiest, especially when compared to the hOmeLabs unit.

Best 14000 BTU Portable AC with Dehumidifier

A UK-based family-run business called Breathing Space says that “dehumidifiers are best used in situations where moisture (humidity) is a problem but where significant cooling is not required. An air conditioner is best suited when the primary aim is for cooling, even though it also acts as a dehumidifier by default.”

If you’re looking for cooling as well as dehumidification, go with the Honeywell MM14CCS.

The Honeywell AC is a 14000 BTU portable air conditioner with dehumidifier functions. This 3-in-1 AC has three modes, including dehumidifying, cooling, and fan mode. The built-in dehumidifier is capable of removing up to 90 pints in 24 hours. It features an auto-evaporation system that uses no-drip technology. This isn’t just the ideal choice for cooling, but also for removing excess moisture problems in the home.

Let’s step away from the Honeywell’s dehumidification and focus on AC’s cooling performance. It uses an eco-friendly refrigerant and has a better-than-average EER rating of 10.3. The minimum noise level is 54 dBA with a powerful airflow of 265 cubic feet per minute, and the single hose operation that is easy to install. It can cool space between 550 and 700 square feet with 3 fan speeds, fan only mode, and a 24-hour timer.

The washable filter makes maintenance easier than ever, and you can’t beat the fantastic Honeywell customer service. There has been a bit of criticism about this portable unit’s high cost, especially since it’s a single hose unit. The product description claims that it operates at a noise level of 54 dBA, but this AC tends to operate loudly when on full blast, so it’s not the ideal choice for cooling a bedroom.

If you’re looking for a 14000 BTU portable air conditioner with heat mode, you’ll love the Black + Decker BPACT14HWT. Not only does this AC come with a heat setting, but it’s one of the most affordable 14000 BTU ACs on the market. Here’s what the B + D company says about their popular cooling/heating product:

“Enjoy a comfortable home climate year-round with this versatile BLACK+DECKER unit. It cools, dehumidifies, circulates air in the summer, and provides heat during those cold winter months. Offering immediate, uninterrupted comfort, this Portable Air Conditioner features easy-to-use electronic controls and is quiet while you sleep.”

As you can see from the description, this is the best choice for staying comfortable all year-round. It’s a 4-in-1 unit with AC, heating, dehumidification, and fan, and controlling all of these functions is comfortable with the handy remote control. It’s easy to move around the home with its rolling caster wheels and compact design. The vent is easily connected to the window or wall, so installation can be done in about 10 minutes.

Our only negative feedback for the B + D portable AC is that it isn’t able to heat a 500 square foot space. It is capable of cooling an ample space, but when it comes to heating, this AC is only suitable for rooms measuring 225 square feet. The company makes this evident in the product description, so they’re not trying to hide anything, but don’t expect to use this 14000 BTU AC for heating a huge space.

Best Dual Hose 14000 BTU AC

So far, each of the portable 14000 BTU ACs has featured a single hose design. Single hose models are slightly easier to install, but in terms of cooling performance, they don’t hold a candle to dual hose ACs. If optimal cooling performance is what you’re after, go with the best 14000 BTU portable air conditioner dual hose – the Whynter ARC-14S.

It has been rated by Good Housekeeping magazine as the best portable AC for spaces up to 500 square feet, and this is a name you can trust when it comes to home appliances. On top of that, this AC received outstanding marks from Consumer Reports in the 2019 portable AC comparison.

Aside from the dual hose operation, the thing we love most about the ARC-14S is its eco-friendliness. The Whynter company has been focusing on going green for several years now, which is why they fuel their portable ACs with eco-friendly, CFC-free R410a refrigerant. All the components are entirely lead-free, making this one of the best family-friendly portable ACs on the market. On top of all that, the ARC-14S comes with an outstanding 11.2 EER.

Quietest 14000 BTU AC

We all strive to find an AC that is quiet yet powerful, like the Emerson Quiet Kool. It has an impressive dehumidification function, removing up to 127 pints of water from the air each day.

With this AC, you’ll be able to “enjoy flexible, energy-saving, spot cooling with the Emerson Quiet Kool 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner. With the included window venting kit, it can be easily installed and put into operation anywhere.”

The Emerson Quiet Kool is all about quiet convenience, never reaching a noise level over 54 decibels. The coverage space is best for rooms measuring between 350 and 550 square feet. It has 4 unique cooling settings, 3 fan speeds, a sleep setting, and a 24-hour timer. We love the washable filtration system that comes with an indicator light for filter wash reminders. To top it all off, the Emerson is one of the most mobile 14000 BTU ACs, weighing less than 70 pounds.

This AC can be controlled from anywhere in the room using the included remote control, but the control panel buttons are just as easy to use. Our chief complaint is that, although this unit is quiet, it’s not necessarily quieter than any of the other ACs on the list. On top of that, the Emerson struggles to keep a large room cool in extremely hot climates (90 degrees and above).

Pros

Easy setup

Remote control & timer

4 cool settings/3 fan speeds

Auto-restart for power outages

Cons

Struggles with extreme heat

No quieter than other ACs

Types of AC Units With a 14000 BTU Rating

Before investing in one of these top-rated models, deciding on the type of 14000 BTU AC that’s right for you and your home is the first step. It’s not just about 14000 BTU air conditioner room size, but also each type’s functionality features, like the ease of use, performance, and power consumption.

Portable

The main perk of going portable is the ease of installation. The best portable ACs are easy to set up, usually just requiring you to install a venting kit to exhaust hot air outside and keep the room cool. There’s no need to cut a hole in the wall or install a window mount. Since a portable unit remains entirely in the home, you don’t have to worry about weatherproofing.

Another perk of choosing one of the portable units reviewed is that they use less power with the same BTU rating. When it comes to Energy Star, portable units almost always come with the best rating, and this will save you money in the long run. The downside of portable 14000 BTU units? Many homeowners don’t love that a portable AC 14000 BTU unit takes up floor space.

Window

Window ACs tend to be slightly more powerful than portable units. A high-quality 14000 BTU window unit is capable of cooling a room up to 700 square feet in size. Window ACs are more efficient than central air, but they aren’t on the same level as portable models. You won’t have to sacrifice floor space, but there will be a bit of installation required – especially for a casement air conditioner 14000 BTU unit.

Wall AC Unit

A 14000 BTU through the wall air conditioner looks and operates like a window unit, but instead of installing the unit in a window, it is installed – you guessed it – through a wall.

If you don’t already have a hole cut out from a previous AC, you’ll have to cut through the drywall to install one of these ACs.

You’ll most likely have to purchase an additional wall sleeve for installation, and these are by far the most challenging AC type with 14000 BTUs to install. There are some advantages to choosing a wall AC unit, though.

They’re much more efficient than central air systems and window units, they don’t take up any floor space, and you won’t lose access to your window.

Types of AC Units Without a 14000 BTU Rating

RV Air Conditioner

There’s a range of available BTU rating with RV air conditioners. A few of the best-rated models have a 13500 BTU, and a few more have a 15000 BTU, but none fall exactly on 14000. There are also plenty of RV ACs with lower BTU ratings, like 7000 and 9000. Just remember that the BTU value you choose depends on the size of your RV space.

Mini Split

The Department of Energy says that the main advantage of ductless mini-split air conditioners is “their small size and flexibility for zoning or heating and cooling individual rooms. Many models can have as many as four indoor air handling units (for four zones or rooms) connected to one outdoor unit.”

Most homeowners find that the perfect mini-split BTU rating is 12000.

Installing Various 14k BTU Air Conditioning Units

The installation process for your 14000 BTU AC depends entirely on the type of unit you’ve purchased. Installing a portable unit will look completely different from installing a through-the-wall AC. You MUST follow your AC’s specific instructions for assembly and installation. This will be included in the product’s user manual, which will come in the box. You should also be able to find a PDF version of the manual on the manufacturer’s website.

To keep things simple, let’s focus on the installation of portable 14000 BTU units. Installation for portable units is easiest, but there’s no shame in calling an HVAC professional if you’re not comfortable with DIY installation. Portable ACs extract hot air, so the toughest part of the installation is figuring out how to vent this hot air through an exhaust vent. Luckily, your unit will come with clear instructions and a venting kit.

Decide on the venting location; most people choose to vent the hot air out of a sliding window, but you might have to vent out of a hole in the wall.

Connect your portable AC to the exhaust connector

Connect the exhaust connector to the exhaust hose.

Connect the venting window kit adapter to the window kit.

5Install a sliding window kit in the window by sliding it to the right height and shutting the window on the kit. In some cases, you might need to mark the kit and cut it down to the right size for the opening.

A Million Dreams

Self-Install

HVAC Technician Required

Window

Yes

No

Through The Wall

Yes (but not always)

Depends on the circumstances

Mini Split

No

Yes

Recreational Vehicle

Yes

No

Troubleshooting & Care

A busted AC is one of the worst things to happen on a sweltering hot day. Even the best 14000 BTU air conditioners can experience operational issues, but the good news is that most of these issues are easy fixes. There are a few regular maintenance steps to prevent these issues from happening in the first place.

A Lack of Airflow

The most common issue that portable/window/through-the-wall ACs experience is a lack of airflow. This means that the AC is turning on and technically working, but it isn’t delivering as much cold air as it should. To fix this common problem, the first thing to do is clean the filter.

The lack of airflow could be from a buildup of dust or debris in the filtration system, so the problem is often fixed by simply removing and cleaning the filter. In most cases, you’ll use a vacuum or brush to give it a good cleaning, but some ACs come with washable filters that can be cleaned under running water.

A Lack of Cool Air

Maybe your AC is giving off a lot of air, but this air isn’t cool. This is another problem that is most often caused by choosing the wrong AC size. If you’re trying to cool a space that is larger than 500 square feet with a 14000 BTU AC, stop. These units are not designed to cool down an entire home, so make sure that you’ve sized your AC properly.

Another common reason for lack of fresh air from your AC is too many open doors, vents, or windows. If the space you’re trying to cool down isn’t enclosed, there’s a good chance that the cool air is escaping. Close open doors, windows, and air vents to fix this problem.

Maintenance

Before performing any type of maintenance on your AC, always be sure to unplug it first. The most important maintenance step is to clean your AC’s filter regularly.

For portable air conditioner maintenance, Compact Appliance says that “regular cleaning of the A/C unit’s filters will go a long way in ensuring the long life of the appliance… This will prevent dust and dirt from building up on the evaporator coil.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does a 14000 BTU air conditioner use?

According to HomeGuides by SFGate, the costs of running an AC depend on how much power is being used. The higher the BTU rating, the greater the power consumption, so you can expect a 14000 BTU unit to consume more energy than a 5000 BTU unit.

Power consumption is measured in kilowatts (kWh).

“Converting BTUs to kilowatt-hours, a measurement equal to one kilowatt of power consumption per hour,” says SFGate, “you’ll find that a 7,500-BTU PAC consumes about 2.2 kWh, a 10,000-BTU unit 2.9 kWh, and a 14,000-BTU unit 4.1 kWh.”

Hunker says that “the larger the BTU number, the more amps the air conditioner will draw. However, amperage draw differs with standard voltages like 115 volts and 230 volts and whole-house central air conditioning.”

This depends on how well you care for it. If you follow all the proper maintenance steps, you could be using your 14000 BTU AC for 10+ years. Then again, if you fail to clean the filter, use an appropriate power outlet, or keep the AC running on full blast at all times, you shouldn’t expect to get much life out of your cooling unit.

Can this size AC cool multiple rooms?

Technically yes, as long as those rooms don’t exceed the 500 square foot recommendation. It’s definitely possible to cool two small rooms that measure no more than 500 square feet with one high-quality 14000 BTU AC. But the more common trend is to use this BTU rating for large rooms, like a large bedroom or general living space.

Where is the best place to buy this size air conditioner?

You can’t go wrong with shopping for anything on Amazon, and this includes high-quality 14000 BTU AC units. All of the products on our list of best 14000 BTU air conditioners reviewed can be purchased on Amazon. But if you’re skeptical about buying an AC unit online, shop around for the best 14000 BTU window air conditioner Lowes has to offer, or head to Best Buy or Home Depot.

Conclusion

One of our favorite ACs with the 14000 BTU rating is the Koldfront through-the-wall unit, mainly because it has powerful operation but remains energy-efficient with a 9.4 EER. If you’re not looking for a wall AC, perhaps the LG window unit is a better choice. Or maybe you’re looking for a portable model, in which case you can’t go wrong with the hOmeLabs 14000 BTU portable AC.

Last Updated onMay 11, 2020

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